Self-service BI: how to empower business teams without losing control

The rise of self-service BISelf-service BI enables business users to create their own analyses and dashboards without depending on the IT team. In 2026, 65% of companies have deployed a self-service BI strategy, but only 30% believe they have struck the right balance between autonomy and governance.Measurable benefitsThe reduction in the IT backlog related to reporting requests reaches 70%. Time-to-insight goes from weeks to hours. Business user satisfaction increases significantly. Decisions are made on fresher and more relevant data.The risks of unmanaged self-serviceThe proliferation of contradictory reports, the use of unvalidated data, calculation errors and breaches of confidentiality are the main risks. "Shadow BI" can create more problems than it solves.The optimal governance frameworkDefine certified, accessible data sources. Put shared business glossaries in place. Train users in analysis best practices. Monitor the usage and quality of the reports created. Build an internal community of BI champions.Source: Wayne Eckerson, founder of Eckerson Group, TechRepublic, February 2026